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Shocker: New Yorkers Prefer Merry Christmas

There’s no “War on Christmas” in New York, according to the results of a new poll released by the Siena Research Institute.

More than half of New Yorkers surveyed (51 percent) said the greeting they most often use is “Merry Christmas,” while 38 percent said “Happy Holidays” is their go-to greeting.

Six percent said they use “Season’s Greetings.”

The number of individuals who say they use “Merry Christmas” is up from 47 percent in 2013, but down from 55 percent in 2012. “Happy Holidays” reached a six-year high in 2013, when 44 percent of respondents said it is their preferred greeting.

The popularity of Merry Christmas differs among several demographics. A plurality of young people (ages 18-34) said they most often use “Happy Holidays,” while a clear majority of individuals over the age of 50 say they prefer “Merry Christmas.”

Nearly 60 percent of white respondents said they use “Merry Christmas,” compared to 30 percent for African Americans and 43 percent for Latinos.

A majority of African Americans — 55 percent — said “Happy Holidays” is their preferred greeting. A plurarlity of Latinos agreed.

Democrats are divided on the use of “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.” While 46 percent of registered Democrats said they use “Happy Holidays,” 44 percent said they most often use “Merry Christmas.”